Our Laguna: KX 93.5 FM coming to airwaves

Tyler Russell, 23, is starting his own radio show in town. (Coastline Pilot)

Barbara Diamond

Laguna Beach FM station KX 93.5 FM will be launched Oct. 1.

The Planning Commission approved on Wednesday a permit for the low-powered community radio station and the rooftop antenna that will transmit without interfering with commercial stations. Opponents have 14 calendar days to appeal the approval.

"We will broadcast eclectic music, local news, traffic reports, beach and surf reports, high school sports, community and charitable events, political forums and arts-related information," said Program Manager Tyler Russell, 23.

The station will be on the air 24 hours, with a staff of four. The studio will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Russell will be the on-air host from 5 to 10 p.m.

Pre-programmed material will run from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.

KX 93.5 will operate in a suite in the Pearl Street Commercial Center at 1833 S. Coast Hwy. that will include an office and conference area, production room and broadcast studio in a sound-proof booth. Todd Skenderian is the architect.

Skenderian informed city staff that the site met standards of the Federal Communications Commission, which granted a 100-watt license to the nonprofit station to broadcast to Laguna and Laguna Niguel. Coverage area includes Newport Coast to Monarch Beach and east to Aliso and Woods Canyon ridge lines.

Concerns were expressed about radio frequency emissions, but folks shouldn't worry, station engineer Greg Garcia said.

"The station will emit a little more than a 60-watt light bulb and a little less than a microwave," Garcia said.

In any case, the Federal Communications Act of 1996 specifically prevents local governments from regulating the location or construction of wireless service installations based on health or the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions, as long as they comply with FCC regulations, according to City Attorney Philip Kohn.

Telecommunication facilities are permitted in any city zone, right-of-way or easement, except open space or conservation areas, although subject to design review.

It is a particularly sore subject with Councilwoman Toni Iseman.

"I believe the jury is still out on health effects, which we can't talk about," Iseman said at a March council meeting.

She volunteered to do some research on what other cities are doing in regard to local control.

"The Federal Communications Commission basically trumps us," said Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson, who was a member of the Planning Commission who drafted the city's Telecommunications Ordinance.

"Our understanding was that the federal government regulated this issue and the only latitude we had was aesthetics and consolidated emissions at the site," she added.

Kohn said no changes have been made in federal law since the ordinance was adopted and the city can do very little about it.

The proposed antenna met one of the city's preferred installation locations: rooftop, facade or an existing tower. However, on Wednesday, Skenderian asked for and received the commission's approval to move the antenna five feet away from a neighbor's property at the request of the neighbor.

Commissioner Rob Zur Schmiede welcomed the station as a former ham, who had attended the first high school in the country to have its own radio station.

"Having our own radio station should be lots of fun," said Commissioner Anne Johnson.

The vote in favor of the station was 3-0, with commissioners Bob Whalen and Linda Dietrich absent.

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Community rallies around the McMurrays

How do you tell a child he has cancer? And how do you cope with the medical bills when you don't have insurance?

That was what Penguin Café owners Sabrina and Michael McMurray had to face this summer. Their 11-year-old son, William, was diagnosed with an aggressive, inoperable brain tumor. He is undergoing radiation to help reduce the size of the tumor and to relieve brain stem pressure.

"He knows he has cancer… his response was, 'That's not good,'" William's mother posted on a recent blog. "I explained to him that cancer is stupid cells that have forgotten what they are supposed to do and radiation reminds him."

The medical bills are mounting, but the community has rallied around the McMurrays.

Two fundraisers have already been held, but folks who missed out on those will have another chance to lend financial and moral support to the McMurrays.

The nonprofit Don't Worry, Be Happy Foundation has scheduled three 5K walks on Aug. 26 at 9 and 11 a.m., and 1 p.m.

The walks will start at the Happy Place, the foundation's store at 1042 N. Coast Hwy., head south to the Penguin and loop back to the store, about three miles.

"When the McMurrays contacted us about adding William to our site, we were more than happy to do so," said foundation founders Jim and Mina Buc. "We hope residents of Laguna Beach will continue their amazing support of this family and join us in sporting our shirts to help remind the McMurrays to stay positive, filled with hope and just Don't Worry Be Happy."

Walkers are required to wear Don't Worry Be Happy shirts on the walk to show their support for the McMurrays. The shirts, which start at $30, can be purchased at the store or online at http://www.DWBHshirts.com. All proceeds from the purchases will be donated to the McMurray family.

Registrants should begin recruiting sponsors immediately to pledge money for William. Sponsors can go online http://www.DWBHshirts.com and make their pledge to William.

The 5K follows on the heels of a fundraiser held Tuesday at Mozambique, organized by Catherine Helshoj.

"Our goal is to allow this wonderful family to spend as much time with William as possible without having to worry about paying the bills," said Mozambique owner Ivan Spiers.

The first fundraiser was held Aug. 5 at Riddle Field, at which $16,250 was raised. More than 300 people attended, according to event organizer Kim Ressler.

That is our Laguna.

OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Call (714) 966-4618 or email coastlinepilot@latimes.com with Attn. Barbara Diamond in the subject line.